Why Disability Mainstreaming is Good for Business: A New Narrative

Journal of Business Ethics - In developed economies, powerful legislative and regulatory frameworks, for people with disability (PWD) over the last five decades, have provided major motivation for...     

Mismatches in skills and attributes of immigrants and problems with workplace integration: a study of IT and engineering professionals in Australia

This article examines the mismatches between supply of skills and attributes of immigrants and the demands of employers that influence workplace integration of skilled immigrants in Australia. It argues that, despite being skilled, immigrants still cannot meet the requirements of employers in doing their jobs effectively. There are mismatches, which happen mainly in the aspects of English proficiency, qualification and culture. The study followed a qualitative research design taking skilled immigrants from IT and engineering professional backgrounds and their employers in Australia as the interviewees. The results confirm that the workplace integration of immigrants is not only affected by the inherent capacities of immigrants, but the mindset of employers and their perception towards immigrants' overall qualities also manipulate the process. The results are, however, indicative only, as the study is confined to IT and engineering professional groups, and does not report the experiences of other immigrants.     

State vs. market in search of good governance: The case of Sri Lanka telecommunications industry reforms

This research investigates the relationship between the state and the market under independent regulation that accompanied telecommunications‐sector reforms in Sri Lanka. It assesses whether the telecommunications regulator has been functioning in line with market principles. Building on the findings of an exploratory study undertaken for a doctoral degree in 2006–07, the study finds that the regulator has been performing under a plethora of constraints: institutionally, politically, legally, and socially. Institutionally, the regulator is affected by its own internal problems, a lack of capability and capacity, and a complexity created by the other agencies. Politicians have become exceptionally powerful, affecting every function of the regulator. Legal provisions have proven inadequate. Socially, regulatory functions are affected, causing delays. It is important to highlight the fact that these are interconnected; one creates or influences another. The findings suggest that the environment in which the regulator operates affects the credibility and effectiveness of a regulatory framework. The authors, with their extensive expertise, argue that such blockages could be overcome through various measures proposed in the conclusion. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Unilateral liberalisation and WTO GATS commitments: the telecommunications sector in selected countries

This paper examines how unilateral liberalisation of the telecommunications sector affected WTO Member countries' commitments in the GATS of the WTO. It is argued from observations and interviews that unilateral liberalisation provides a basis for making WTO commitments. The differing objectives of WTO Members, their attitudes towards reform (strong reformer or lukewarm supporter of reforms), and country-specific sensitivities appear to be factors responsible for the observed differences between unilateral reforms and GATS commitments in the telecommunications sector.